100 firefighters tackle four-hectare grass fire in Rainham

A grassland fire near Acer Avenue in Rainham required the response of around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines on the evening of 29 July. The London Fire Brigade confirmed the blaze covered about four hectares of land.

The first emergency call was logged at 19:36. Firefighters from stations including New Cross, West Norwood, Romford, and Dockhead arrived at the scene. The fire was declared under control by 21:56, the London Fire Brigade said, as reported by MyLondon.

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Residents warned to avoid smoke

Crews used wildfire beaters to tackle the flames. The London Fire Brigade explained that these tools work by depriving the fire of oxygen and cooling it down. Residents in the area were advised to keep windows and doors closed to avoid smoke inhalation.

Motorists driving through smoky areas were told to close windows, shut air vents, and turn off air conditioning. The London Fire Brigade issued the guidance to prevent outside air from entering vehicles, MyLondon reported.

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Cause under investigation

It is unclear what started the fire. The London Fire Brigade is conducting an investigation. No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the incident.

The fire brigade issued advice for anyone who encounters a wildfire. Callers to 999 should provide precise details about the location and size of the fire. The what3words app can help pinpoint exact positions. The public is urged not to attempt to tackle fires themselves.

“Stay well away from wildfires as fire can smoulder or spread underground.”

London Fire Brigade

Wildfires across Europe

The Rainham fire follows a series of wildfires across Europe. In south-west France, around 42,000 hectares of land have been destroyed, with fires spreading into parts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area, MyLondon reported.

Three firefighters died while tackling wildfires in Greece. High winds have fuelled blazes on Crete and mainland Greece. In Spain, approximately 77,000 hectares have been affected by fires, according to the same report.

Preventing grass fires

The London Fire Brigade advised against using barbecues in parks, public spaces, or on balconies. Disposable barbecues should not be left unattended, and users must ensure they are fully extinguished after use.

Cigarettes should be properly extinguished and disposed of safely. Glass bottles left in direct sunlight can start fires, so the public is urged to take litter home if bins are full.

The London Fire Brigade has not announced any further updates on the Rainham fire investigation. No timeline has been given for when findings might be released.